Canopy construction



April 1952 F. R. THOMPSON ETAL CANOPY CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 16. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l {lie ml I I INVENTORS FRANK R. THOMPSON W\Ll \AM D. BELL.

BY 8% 3 fr v April 15, 1952 F. R. THOMPSON El'AL 2,593,221

CANOPY CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 16, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FRANK R. THOMPSON WILLIA D. BELL ATTORNEYS CANOPY CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV. 16, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS FRANK R. THOMPSON r W|LLH\M D. BELL g7 ATTOR N EYS Patented Apr. 15, 1952 CANOPY CONSTRUCTION Frank R. Thompson and William D. Bell, Akron, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Falls Stamping and Welding Company, Guyahoga Falls, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 16, 1948, Serial No. 60,252

15 Claims. (01. 160-57) 7 type, a complete set of parts for a single awning may be sold in package form.

It is a further object of the invention to devise an awning or canopy which is attractive and ornamental, and is permanent. The. various parts which comprise the awning are readily assembled and are so designed that the complete awning or canopy makes a very attractive and gseful addition to a dwelling or over a store win- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing a complete awning made in a single unit of length.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1. I

Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, show the several steps of assembling a canopy or awning.

Figures 8 and 8a are an elevation and sectional view respectively of an adjustable hanger strip which is used when the awning or canopy exceeds the unit size.

Figures 9 and 9a are similar views of an ad justable edging strip which is used along the outer forward edge of the canopy and is adapted for awnings which exceed the unit width.

Figure 10 is a view showing the use of a supplemental support which is used when the awning or canopy is extended to a degree where an intermediate support is required.

Figure 11 is a section on the line ll-ll of Figure 10.

Thestruoture is comprised of a plurality of main plates or units which are indicated by the numeral l0. These units are made of a standard length such as is adapted for canopies or awnings. which will adapt itself to the construction of varying sizes of awnings or canopies which will generally be encountered. For convenience we have selected six inches as the standard width of a main plate 10 so that awnings of any desired Each unit is made of a selected width.

size may be constructed in widths which are multiples of six inches.

By way of example we hai e shown in Figure l five of these unitary plates assembled to make a thirty-inch awning or canopy which is representative of a small canopy unit. Each plate is provided along each longitudinal edge with an upwardly rolled or curled edge I l and across the rear or upper edge is a downwardly curled or rolled edge [2. Across the lower or outer edge is an upwardly curled or rolled edge M.

In the form shown in Figure 1 a single flashing strip or hanger I5 is shown, but for larger installations two or more of these strips [5 and l5a will be provided so that the householder may, by adding more of the main plates, secure any width of awning which he may desire. One strip is the length which has been selected for a unit canopy, in this case thirty inches. main portion of each strip IE or |5a is flattened so that it may be fastened to the upper portion of the casement or to the side of the building by nails or screws Hi. The upper edges of the strips may be formed with an inwardly turned flange I8 to make a weather-tight seal with the side of the building. The lower edge of each strip is formed with a curled or rolled gutter 20, the edge of which terminates in. the reinforcing fiange 2|. In the case of the hanger strips the curl 20 in the strip l5 is made on a greater radius than the curl on the strip [5a so that two strips may be telescopically adjusted to the width desired for awnings over the unitary length.

Serving to hold the unit plates I10 together and to provide an ornamental lower edge or valance on the awning, there is provided a transverse locking or edging strip 22 which is in the form of the letter S with two curled or rolled edges 23 and 23a. In this case thetwo curled edges are made in different radii so that in case the canopy is over the thirty-inch length two or more of these strips 22 and 22a are employed and are telescoped by reversing the strips so that the small and large curled portions on the strips are nested as shown in Figure 9a.

There are also provided a plurality of splicing or connecting strips 24 which span the meeting edges of a pair of plates l0 and serve to hold them in parallel fixed relationship. Each of these connecting strips is formed with a central fiat portion and two downwardly extending curled edges 25 which slidably interlock with the longitudinal curled edge portions H on the plates Ill. While the edges of the plates III are The verse edges i l of the plates Hi.

shown in contact this is not essential as the plates may be spaced apart to any desired degree. Also the connecting strips may be of any width and while they are preferably placed above the plates this is not essential.

For each awning are provided two triangular end plates 28 which are formed on'the angle which the awning or canopy is to assume. The

upper edge of each end plate is provided with a rolled or curled edge portion 30 adapted to slidably interlock with the upwardly curled portion H on the end unit plate It. The lower edge of each end plate 28 is provided. withaninturned flange 32 which is for the'purpose of reinforcing the plate and for receiving the outer-"end of a brace 43 which is shown in the 'form-ofan ornamental strap twisted so that. its fiatouter portion 4| parallels the underside of the flange 32 to which it is fastened by bolts 53. The rear end of each brace is turned vertically, as at 34, so

wthat. it may be attached toitheside of the building. To further; supportthe canopy bytheend pieces the rear for vertical edged the end pieces 28'are provided with inturned vertical flanges t8 t which-are attachedflat holding plates. 50 by bolts 5!. Screws 52 fasten the plates 59 to the building.

Should'the canopy be. extended. much beyond theunit length of thirty inches (or whatever length 'is selected) lit isidesirable to provide" an auxiliary support in the form ofa plate 66, which :may: be fastened to the underside of one of the intermediate plates 10 by bolts 6!. 'inental brace member 38 may be'used. at this point if the'formation of the buildingpermits or if not --aisingle plate 50 used ontheiinner side oithe support fill will usually. afford a sufiicient support for. the awning at a midway point.

A supple- Figures 4 .to '7" illustrate the .manner in which an-awning is assembled-and erected in placeover a 'window. 0r door. In" the illustrationthe awning 5 is somewhat wider than theunit: Width whichhas been selected.

The firstoperation is to. attach the upperhangser strip-li over-thetop ofthe'door or window 'which is to be protected by the awning. The :several plates I0 are then placed over thestrip i5 by slidably interlocking the'curled portion 12 .onthe units with the curled portion 28 on the hanger strip. The several plates are movedinto abutting-edge-to-edge relationan'd then thefront edging strip 22 is telescope'd over the lower edges of the plates by slidably interlocking one of the curled edges of a strip 22 with the curleditrans- While the plates: l0, now connected along'their lower edges'by' the strip 22 (01"22 and 22a), are

hanging in a vertical position as shown in Figure 6,:the splicing or connecting strips-2e are tele- :scoped downwardly roverthe edges of the plates :11 The nesting of'the curled edges It .on the plateslil and the curled edges 25 on the strips 24 .iserves to draw the'plates; til; together so'thatthe tODTOf :the;awning is firm.

,The next :step is the attachment of the end plates 28 with the braces r40 attached. The end plates are firsttelescoped over the edges of the outside plates ill with thecurled portions ii and :3ilfin'engagement as shown in Figure 7. The awning is then raised, the curled "portion 82 and i-ZO-onthe plates Land the hanger l5 permitting '.the awning to rock. The end pieces .ZBare now brought .to vertical "position and the awning is :firmly mounted'in .position by fastening. the

:braceslil 'in'position and securing the plates 53 l to the wall of the building. If the awning requires it the supplemental support 69 may now be added.

It will be seen that the houseowner may easily set up one of these awnings or canopies in any desired size and that the operations are simple and-do not require the asset skilled labor. The

awning is attractive and adds tothe appearance of the building. It is so designed that it can be shipped and sold in knockdown condition and is adaptable for all sizes or" windows or doorways.

While the description herein has been detailed zsothat the-best known and preferred form of the invention will have been described, it is possible'toeinbody the invention in other forms than thatspecifically described and shown. improve ments and changes may be made without d'e parting from the scope and purview of the inventicn as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimedis '1. A construction for use asan awning with a top surface having in combination aplurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel relationship, each of said plates having its longitudinal edges provided with upwardly directed curled formations, a plurality of strips located over the longitudinal edges of said plates and having ithe formationson the underlying p'lates,. and :meanslslidably secured to the lower edges of said plates to hold said plates 'lation.

3. A multiple piece top construction for awningsv having a'roof surface comprisinga'plurai ity of similar elongated plates arranged longitudinally of the. top, each of said :p'lates having its. longitudinal edges provided with interlocking formations, strips :spanningthe :adjacent edges of pairs of plates and havinginterlocking-formations complementary toand fitting the interand strips in rigid re locking formations on the plates, the lower trans- V verse edges of said plates having interlocking formations in alignment, and an edging strip across the lower edges of said plates having a sliding 'interlocking'fit with the formations on the lower transverse edges of said plates. 7 l. A'multiple piece top construction forawnings having a roof surface'comprising a plurality'of similar elongated plates arranged longitudinally of the top, each of said plates having its longitudinal edges provided withinterlocking formations, strips spanning the adjacent edges of pairs of plates and having interlocking formations complementary toand fitting'the interlockin formations on the plates, the lower transverse edges of said plates having. interlock ing formations in alignment, an edging strip across the lower edges of said plates-having a sliding interlocking fit with the fformations on the lower transverse edges'of said plates, and a ranged parallel to said plates and having a sliding interlocking lit with adjacent ones of said plates, and an edging strip across the lower edge of the roof and having a sliding interlocking fit with the lower transverse edges of the plates.

6. A multiple piece roof construction for awnings having a roof surface comprising a plurality of similar plates respectively arranged longitudinally of the roof, a plurality of strips arranged parallel to said plates and having a sliding interlocking fit with adjacent ones of said plates, an edging strip across the lower edge of the roof and having a sliding interlocking fit with the lower transverse edges of the plates, and a supporting strip having a sliding interlocking fit with the upper transverse edges of the plates.

'7. In an awning construction for attachment to a building in which the top of the awning is composed of a plurality of elongated plates, each of said plates having upwardly directed curled formations along its longitudinal edges, a downwardly directed curled formation across one of its ends, an upwardly directed curled formation across its other end, and strips in interlocking sliding engagement with the respective formations to hold the said plates together and supported from a building.

8. In an awning construction for attachment to a building in which the top of the awning is composed of a plurality of elongated plates, each of said plates having upwardly directed curled formations along its longitudinal edges, a downwardly directed curled formation across one of its ends, an upwardly directed curled formation across its other end, locking strips having downwardly directed curled formations along their longitudinal edges in sliding interlocking engagement with the curled formations on the longitudinal edges of adjacent ones of said plates, and a supporting strip adapted to be attached to the building and having a formation alon one edge in sliding interlocking engagement with the said downwardly directed curled formations on said strip.

9. In an awning construction for attachment to a building in which the top of the awning is composed of a plurality of elongated plates, each of said plates having upwardly directed curled formations along its longitudinal edges, a down wardly directed curled formation across one of its ends, an upwardly directed curled formation across its other end, lockin strips having downwardly directed curled formations along their longitudinal edges in sliding interlockin engagement with thecurled formations on the longitudinal edges of adjacent ones of said plates, a supporting strip adapted to be attached to the building and having a formation along one edge in sliding interlocking engagement with the said downwardly directed curled formations on said strip, and an edging strip having a formation in sliding interlocking engagement with the said curled formation across the other ends of the plates.

10. An awning, the top of which is comprised of a plurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel relation, each of said plates having each of its edges provided with an interlocking formation, locking strips arranged over the adJa-- cent edges of said plates and other locking strips across their ends to hold the plates together, each of said strips being in sliding interlocking engagement with formations on the plates, and means to support the awning so that it projects outwardly from a building.

11. An awning, the top of which is comprised of a plurality of elongated plates arranged in parallel relation, each of said plates having each of its edges provided with an interlocking formation, locking strips arranged over the adjacent edges of said plates and other locking strips across their ends to hold the plates together, each of said strips being in sliding interlocking engagement with formations on the plates, and means to support the awning so that it projects outwardly from a building, said last named means comprising end plates having sliding interlocking engagement with the longitudinal edges of the plates at the lateral sides of the awning.

12. A construction for use as an awning having a top surface comprising a plurality of plates arranged in parallel relation, with the longitudinal edges of the plates extending transversely of the lower outer edge of the awning, each of said plates having along its longitudinal edges upwardly turned curled formations, a plurality of strips spanning the edges of adjacent plates and having downwardly directed curled formations in sliding interlocking engagement with the formations on the underlying plates, and a transverse member slidably connected to the lower outer edge of the awning and holding the plates and strips in rigid relation.

13. A construction for use as an awning having a top surface comprising a plurality of plates arranged in parallel relation, with the longitudinal edges of the plates extending transversely of the lower outer edge of the awning, each of said plates having along its longitudinal edges upwardly turned curled formations, a plurality of strips spanning the edges of adjacent plates and having downwardly directed curled formations in sliding interlocking engagement with the formations on the underlyin plates, and transverse members attached to the upper and lower horizontal edges of the awning and holding the plates and strips in rigid relation.

14. A construction for use as an awning having a top surface comprising a plurality of plates arranged in parallel relation, with the longitudinal edges of the plates extending transversely of the lower outer edge of the awning, each of said plates having along its longitudinal edges upwardly turned curled formations, a plurality of strips spanning the edges of adjacent plates and having downwardly directed curled formations in sliding interlocking engagement with the formations on the underlying plates, a transverse member attached to the upper horizontal edge of the awning and serving to hold the plates and strips in rigid relation and to support the awning on the building.

15. A construction for use as an awning having a top surface comprising a plurality of plates arranged in parallel relation, with the longitudinal edges of the plates extending transversely of the lower outer edge of the awning, each of said plates having along its longitudinal edges upwardly turned curled formations, a plurality of strips spanning the edges of adjacent plates and having downwardly directed curled formamet: this warm;

'transversenffilberattached. to the lower horifizbntgl dge of the awning constituting a valance and serving to hold-the plates and Strips in rigid 'i'elation.

"FRANK R. THOMPSON.

WILLIAM D. BELL.

-R-EFERENCES CITED The 'flloi virig rfe'znes are of "record -in the UNITED STATES :PATENTS Numbr V Number Name 'Uate FOX Rush em-20, 1912 Stack Jan. 10, 1933 Kuhn Aug. 5, 4941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Feb. -11,' 19 9 

